Press Conference by Press Sec. 7 April 1995

1. Visit to Japan by Prime Minister Marcolino Jose Carlos Moco of the Republic of Angola
2. Japan's position regarding extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
3. Position of the Government of Japan on resumption of normalization talks with North Korea
4. Visit of the Dalai Lama to Japan and relations with the People's Republic of China
5. Visit to Japan by General Secretary of the Communist Party Do Muoi of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

1. Visit to Japan by Prime Minister Marcolino Jose Carlos Moco of the Republic of Angola

   Acting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ken Shimanouchi: Good afternoon, gentlemen. Prime Minister Marcolino Jose Carlos Moco of the Republic of Angola will visit Japan at the invitation of the Government of Japan from 10 to 14 April. He will be accompanied by high-ranking officials, including Minister of External Relations Venancio da Silva Moura. During his stay in Japan, Prime Minister Moco will have talks with Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono, and other Government and Diet leaders. In talks with Prime Minister Moco, the Government of Japan intends to express its support for the peace efforts of Angola, and to exchange views on assistance for the country's future reconstruction and nation-building. This is the first visit to Japan to be made by an Angolan prime minister.

2. Japan's position regarding extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

   Q: Next week or the week after, the discussion about the extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is starting in New York. Can you tell us once again who is going to represent Japan, what kind of speech, if any, he is going to deliver, and what the Japanese position is at this point?

   A: Regarding your first question -- no decision has been made as to who will represent Japan at the conference. But what I can say is that this is a very important conference for Japan. It will effect a review of the operation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which takes place every five years, and this time around, in addition to that, the question of the extension of the Treaty will be discussed. This Treaty has played an important role in preventing the emergence of new nuclear weapons States, and the indefinite extension of this Treaty is very important for the stability of the non-proliferation regime. We will be taking these things into account in deciding who will represent Japan at the conference. As to the content of our representative's speech at the conference, this is still being discussed; we are still working on the speech. With regard to Japan's position at this conference, we fully support the indefinite extension of the treaty for the reasons that I mentioned to you in the first part of my response.

   Q: Not unconditional extension?

   A: With this question of extension, the provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty refer only to the extension, and there is no reference to conditions, as such. We are aware that people are talking about "unconditional" or "conditional"; however, it is not a matter for decision at the extension conference.

   Q: For example, yesterday, Secretary of State Warren Christopher of the United States of America invited or summoned 120 diplomats in Washington, D.C. to ask for indefinite and unconditional extension of the NPT, and you sound like Japan is willing to support indefinite extension, but rather reserved about unconditional extension. Is my understanding correct?

   A: My understanding is that there are some countries in the world which call for conditioning the extension of the Treaty, and writing new elements into the Treaty. We believe that this is not realistic. We believe that it is not productive to do so.

   Q: Then, what is the stance of Japan concerning the word "unconditional?" Actually, if I remember this correctly, I think two years ago, at the time of former Prime Minister Miyazawa, when the G-7 Summit was held in Tokyo, there was some argument or discrepancy of views between Japan and other countries over this portion of the NPT -- "indefinite and unconditional" extension, or only "indefinite" extension.

   A: Our position regarding the NPT is that the nuclear weapons States should continue their efforts in nuclear disarmament, and that this should be done in accordance with Article VI of the Treaty.

   Q: Then, would you expect that the Japanese representative, whoever it may be, will stress this point in his speech?

   A: As I told you, we are still working on the speech, so I had better refrain from making any predictions on what points will be raised in the speech.

3. Position of the Government of Japan on resumption of normalization talks with North Korea

   Q: Given the recent visit of Japanese lawmakers to Pyongyang, what is the Government's position on restarting talks with North Korea on normalizing relations?

   A: For some time now, the Government of Japan has been calling on North Korea to resume the talks for normalization of relations. We welcome the fact that the visit of the three-party delegation to Pyongyang has paved the way for the resumption of the normalization talks. That is the position of the Government of Japan.

   Q: Do you have any estimates as to what the next step might be and when it might be taken, towards restarting these normalization talks?

   A: The timing of the resumption of the normalization talks is something that has to be discussed between Japan and North Korea. No decision has been reached in that regard at this point in time.

   Q: Have the two governments -- North Korea and Japan -- had contacts about this resumption of talks after the coalition mission has returned home?

   A: I cannot comment on specific contacts between Japan and North Korea.

4. Visit of the Dalai Lama to Japan and relations with the People's Republic of China

   Q: The visit to Japan of the Dalai Lama caused some anger from Beijing, specifically towards Japan for allowing the Dalai Lama to visit. Is Japan concerned about the effect that His Holiness' visit may have on relations with Beijing?

   A: The application by the Dalai Lama for a visa to enter Japan was made through proper channels, the application was examined in accordance with the laws and regulations of Japan, and the visa was also issued in accordance with the laws and regulations of Japan. We have explained this to the Chinese side, and we are hopeful that they understand our position.

   Q: Since this is the first time in 11 years that the Dalai Lama has come to Japan, it seems to many observers to mark a new boldness, some say, on the part of Japan, to accept a visit from a person who is controversial in China. Does this mark a new attitude in Japan's diplomacy, in terms of following its own rules and its own desires and perhaps being less concerned about repercussions from Beijing?

   A: I can say two things in response to your question. This is the sixth visit by the Dalai Lama to Japan. It is not the first. The other point is that, of course, Japan attaches a lot of importance to the rule of law. As I mentioned, the application for the visa was examined in accordance with our laws and regulations and found to be in keeping with our laws and regulations, so we issued the visa.

5. Visit to Japan by General Secretary of the Communist Party Do Muoi of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

   Q: General Secretary of the Communist Party Do Muoi of Viet Nam is coming to Japan next week. Could you brief us on what kind of substantial achievements you expect through his visit, including aid packages, etc.?

   A: We are planning to give a background briefing on this subject on 14 April. I would appreciate it very much if you would attend this briefing.